Report Olson

A Report for ED 202E

“Writing and the Mind”

by David Olson

Lorna Gonzalez, Graduate Student

12 October 2009University of California, Santa Barbara

Picture generated at www.wordle.net

Structure of the Chapter Language acquisition is a cultural practice; cognitive

processes & structures are transformed by language and writing acquisition.

Pervasive assumptions in theories of writing system evolution.

History of Writing: The [Misleading] Evolutionary Story History of the Alphabet: Borrowing Script Learning to Read: emblems vs. abstractions

THESIS: Writing is a model for speech and communication, evolved from adapted uses of the alphabetic system, and employed for thinking about language.

“Words spoken are symbols or signs of affections or

impressions of the soul; written words are the signs of words

spoken”

Assumption: Writing is an expression of speech, which is an expression of thought.

Assumption: Inventors of writing systems knew that language consisted of smaller parts (phonemes, syllables, etc.). They simply needed an “optimal” script.

Pervasive assumptions in theories of writing system evolution

Olson’s claim:

We read and hear speech in terms of the categories expressed in scripts.

History of Writing: The [Misleading] Evolutionary Story

The alphabet is economical (few signs) and complete (visually represents anything that can be spoken)

History of Writing: The [Misleading] Evolutionary Story

This story is misleading because:

3.It assumes different levels of the features of a language.

5. Alternative writing systems are also optimal (i.e. Chinese logograms).

Olson’s hypothesis:

Writing systems are developed for communication, but they provide a model for language and thought because they can be read and interpreted.

has different syntax than

3Script is language & model for speech

• Homeric Greeks (oral tradition) valued justice and courage (exemplified by gods).• Classical Period Greeks (literate tradition) valued philosophy and reflection.

Words became things upon which to reflect; they no were no longer emblems (i.e. sheep). Writing is a model for speech production.

History of the Alphabet: Borrowing Script

Chinese Characters:2.Iconic representation (i.e. sun)3.Borrow the icon for other words with a similar sound4.Homophones for words which sound the same

Picture reference: farm1.static.flickr.com/6/68457700_11256e9d70.jpg

History of the Alphabet: Borrowing Script

A property of Semitic (Hebrew & Arabic) script

/K/ /T/ /B/katab

“he wrote”katabi

“I wrote”

ketob“write”

koteb“writing”

All can be written “ktb” (vowels not necessary).

History of the Alphabet: Borrowing Script

Borrowing and manipulating script for new & different linguistic purposes allowed for categories of speech to be seen and heard more precisely (and therefore, thought about as well).

Learning to Read: emblems vs. abstractions• Alphabet is a model for literacy• children learn to read emblems before they understand words

““4” 4” = “four” but also “quatre”• Graphic communication is then a model for verbalization.

Read the sentence below:

Oh, it’s you.Which words are emphasized?Is this a statement of disgust, surprise, fondness, or some other intention?

(Our writing system represents part of the meaning)

Summary1. Writing provides a model for speech.2.History of script is really a history of borrowed and adaptations.3.Scripts provide models of language which are acquired in the learning process and help us think about language.4.Script does not necessarily account for tone/intention (& other features)

THANK YOU

Handouts:•Notes page•Summary